benjclark: If you like John Dunning, allow me to reccomend Marco Page's Fast Company. Out of print, but that shouldn't stop you. It's in a similar vein to Dunning's Bookman series, but set in 1938. Well, it was written in 1938.

This is the first book I have read from this author and I loved it. Just one more author to add to my "to read" list!!Because the story involves books, book selling, and murder I found this one right up my alley. I will definitely be looking for more by this author!! ( )

This is a page turner - kept me guessing until the last chapter with a satisfying ending. Each Janeway book is better than the last. I enjoy the Mickey Spillane/Mike Hammer style (if that's an accurate analogy)of the tough ex-cop Janeway and supporting case of smart women, charming old guys, and assorted assholes :D ( )

A solid mystery, and one I enjoyed. I was a bit disappointed that the book angle -- the primary draw for me to this series -- proved to be a complete deadend in this title. Still, the sections in which that Dunning probes the market of signed volumes and book fairs were greatly rewarding. ( )

A solid, entertaining mystery - this is the first in the Cliff Janeaway series I have read. I like Cliff - an ex cop who has become a bookdealer and who now almost accidently combines the two skill sets. He is his own man, guided by his own ethics with a great sense of humour. Erin seems a good partner and I liked Parley as a minor character. All the characters are grounded well.I do think the plot was pretty transparent in regards to whom shot whom and why but I couldn't quite figure out where the plot thread regarding the Preacher would end up (which was no where in particular.) I also enjoyed learning a bit about the book trade.I liked it enough that I'll happily read others in the series. ( )

Someone from Erin's past is in trouble and Cliff gets recruited to help investigate. There's a real twist in the tail, and along the way some interesting red herrings. One nice thing about Mr. Dunning's mysteries is that they are all unique - the kinds of mysteries, the motives, and the settings. Makes each one a great stand-alone read. ( )

Wikipedia in English

From New York Times bestselling author John Dunning comes a riveting new Cliff Janeway Bookman novel, combining captivating book lore with page-turning suspense.

Denver bookman and ex-cop Cliff Janeway is enjoying the good life, buying and selling the books he adores as he ekes out a living in his store on seedy East Colfax. And it doesn't hurt that superstar lawyer Erin D'Angelo has joined him as a partner in both business and love.

Erin is a special lady, so it's hard for Janeway to refuse her when she asks a favor. Will he travel to the little mountain town of Paradise, Colorado, to check on one of Erin's girlhood friends who's in deep trouble? Laura Marshall sits in the county jail, accused of murdering her husband, Bobby.

The situation is delicate because Bobby and Erin were a couple before he married Laura. In fact, it was Laura's affair with Bobby that ended Erin's relationship with each of them, and the women have been estranged ever since. Now Laura has called on Erin for help, but Erin's not sure she even wants to see her onetime best friend, let alone get involved in her case. Could Janeway visit Laura on Erin's behalf and try to find out what happened the night Bobby died?

The clincher for Janeway: Bobby Marshall was a book collector, and Janeway can't resist a house full of books any more than he can resist Erin's uncharacteristic request. His normally self-sufficient girlfriend is clearly at loose ends. He drives to Paradise the next day.

Janeway soon discovers that neither he nor Erin is likely to be able to save Laura Marshall. The young wife and mother is terrified of something and has already admitted to the arresting officer -- a smarmy local deputy with a huge chip on his shoulder -- that she shot her husband and then tried to dispose of the bloody evidence.

But did everything really happen as Laura claims? And what about the books? Bobby had a vast library, but at a casual glance, the titles seem ordinary, even to a seasoned bookman like Janeway. Could they possibly be a motive for murder?

Janeway, Erin, and local attorney Parley McNamara discover that the case against Laura Marshall is far more complicated than it seems. Professionally, Erin must decide whether to represent Laura; and personally, whether a decades-old friendship can be resurrected. Janeway wants to know the significance of Bobby's book collection. He senses their importance, and under his careful scrutiny, the rows of unremarkable volumes could reveal a killer's motive.

Rich with the intricacies of book collecting that only an expert like John Dunning can offer, The Sign of the Book is a beautifully crafted, enthralling novel of suspense from the consummate bookman himself.

Denver bookman and ex-cop Cliff Janeway is asked by his partner, lawyer Erin D'Angelo, to travel to the little mountain town of Paradise, Colorado, to check on one of Erin's girlhood friends who's in deep trouble. Laura Marshall sits in the county jail, accused of murdering her husband, Bobby. Erin's not sure she wants to get involved, because she and Bobby were a couple before he married Laura, but Laura has turned to her friend and rival for help. The clincher for Janeway: Bobby Marshall was a book collector, and Janeway can't resist a house full of books. But Janeway soon discovers neither he nor Erin is likely to be able to save Laura Marshall. The young wife and mother is terrified of something and has already admitted she shot her husband. But did everything really happen as Laura claims? And could Bobby's seemingly ordinary collection of books have anything to do with the case?… (more)